Helen Woodward Animal Center (HWAC), a very progressive and all-inclusive animal rescue and training facility for humans in Rancho Santa Fe, California came up with a new celebration last year entitled Annual Doggie Gras and Fat Cat Tuesday. Just another reason for Mardi Gras revelers to get together and commemorate the occasion!

This year the second annual celebration will continue on Tuesday, March 4th beginning at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time. This “Paw-thentic” event is open to the public with FREE fun and a Doggie Gras Parade worth barking about! The ORIGINAL Orphan Pet Focused Fete is back and better than ever!

As the public joins the Center’s workers and adoptables for this FREE event, they will also have the opportunity to meet alumni and other revelers of all ages, breeds and creeds on “Bour-bone Stree” down in “Cat-on Rouge.” Everyone is invited and welcome to dress their well-behaved pooches in appropriate Mardi Gras themed costumes and/or even parade their own “floats” (created from small wagons or pet strollers) in order to participate in the parade that will take place along the designated route around the Center grounds.

Besides the dogs and cats, there will also be sheep and goats hoofing their way along the parade route in traditional Barn-ival style at 6461 El Apajo Road in Rancho Santa Fe, California from 11:00 a.m. until Noon across from the administration building.

The “Fat Tuesday” annual tradition is the perfect way to celebrate all orphan pets and the various programs offered at Helen Woodward Animal Center and will include a variety of activities for the New Orleans-lover in all of us. Purple, green and gold will bedeck and bejewel the festivities, where attendees will sip on non-alcoholic Purr-icanes, compete for “Best Dressed Mardi Gras King and Queen” ($10 per entry) and take pictures against New Orleans style-backgrounds. Kitty-lovers can participate by voting for their favorite “FAT CAT” adoptable.

Doggie Gras and Fat Cat Tuesday is just another way for the good folks at HWAC to advertise the great rescued animals at their facility. Each year they come up with more and better ways to bring attention to orphaned animals; displaying to the world that they would make wonderful pets. As the public gets involved they learn that just because of bad situations, these good pets are left without a home. Many times the most desperate animals make the very best companions! It is certainly something to ‘PAW-nder.’

Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Second Annual Mardi Paws Parade is FREE to the public. Proceeds from all Mardi Paws activities support the Helen Woodward Adoptions Department. To attend, or for more information, go to http://www.animalcenter.org/events/DoggieGras/index.aspx, call Helen Woodward Animal Center: (858) 756-4117 x 356 or contact Special Events Supervisor Regina Barrella at Reginab@animalcenter.org. This is a day you will certainly NOT want to miss! Bons Temps Rouler – Let the Good Dogs Play!

Share this article

Melissa Stoneburner is the proud parent of a Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier named Quantum Leap, nicknamed Q. Melissa's husband, Kent and their two sons, Reese and Drew live in Illinois. Melissa's an author who initially self-published her first devotional, Love's True Reveal, in 2006. Her first novel, A Little Hope, will be available soon. Melissa helps elementary children publish books and devotes time to children with special needs at St. Michael Church. Email her at MelissaStoneburner@gmail.com.